Water shutoff ordinance

Eighth District resident thanked the four members who attended, expressed disappointment in absent members who had supported the bill, and also called for justice for Kadir Skinner.

Eviction defense attorney and Eighth District resident thanked the attending members and sponsors, saying his organization will support the next round of the fight.

A Wilmington resident with disabilities described her own past inability to pay utility bills and urged the city to show grace and not shut off water.

A blind, disabled Fifth District resident described daily life without water and urged a yes vote, calling water a basic human right.

A disabled Fifth District resident living on a fixed income with her 85-year-old spouse questioned why council was revisiting the issue and urged passage.

With the Tides/Shift Justice Project, she criticized the mayor's veto and said similar protections elsewhere haven't caused citywide nonpayment.

Cited 2024 city data — 721 shutoff notices, ~$135,000 collected of $1.8M billed, 57 disconnections — arguing shutoffs fail as a collection tool and urging a veto override.

Criticized Mayor Carney's veto as cruel and the absences, and called for an independent outside audit of the Wilmington Police Department.

A Fifth Ward resident urged members to keep the issue front and center and described water shutoffs as a public health issue, with broader criticism of city leadership.

Eighth District resident thanked attending members and urged protection of people on fixed incomes, calling denial of water a form of violence.